SIFT Aviation Knowledge

Question 1

What are the four forces acting on an aircraft in flight?

Accepted Answer

Lift, weight, thrust, and drag

Answer

The four fundamental forces in flight are lift (upward), weight/gravity (downward), thrust (forward), and drag (rearward). Balanced forces result in steady flight.

Question 2

What flight instrument indicates the aircraft's altitude above sea level?

Accepted Answer

Altimeter

Answer

The altimeter measures atmospheric pressure and converts it to altitude above sea level, providing critical information for terrain clearance and air traffic control.

Question 3

What is the purpose of the cyclic control in a helicopter?

Accepted Answer

Controls the direction and speed of horizontal flight by tilting the rotor disk

Answer

The cyclic control tilts the main rotor disk in the desired direction, allowing the helicopter to move forward, backward, or sideways.

Question 4

What does VFR stand for in aviation?

Accepted Answer

Visual Flight Rules — flying by visual reference to the ground and landmarks

Answer

Visual Flight Rules allow pilots to fly by looking outside the aircraft and maintaining visual contact with the ground, terrain, and other aircraft, under specified weather conditions.

Question 5

What is the purpose of the collective control in a helicopter?

Accepted Answer

Controls the overall pitch of all main rotor blades simultaneously to change altitude

Answer

The collective changes the pitch angle of all main rotor blades equally, increasing or decreasing total lift to control the helicopter's altitude.

SIFT Exam Practice Test

SIFT Exam Practice Test

SIFT Aviation Knowledge